Colchester United's Vincent-Young insists honesty is the best policy

COLCHESTER United wing-back Kane Vincent-Young believes an open, honest dressing room has been a key factor in his side’s recent success.

The U’s are unbeaten in eight League Two matches – a sequence they will be hoping to extend in tomorrow’s home contest against Morecambe.

Vincent-Young has been one of the stars of their success, despite having to miss three weeks with a hamstring injury.

And he believes clear lines of communication within the squad have helped them progress after a disappointing start.

“It’s an open dressing room and if something’s not right, you have to speak up and say,” said the 21-year-old, who made his comeback from injury in the U’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Southend United and then kept his place for last week’s victory against Barnet.

“It’s nothing personal but we all want to get results.

“Honesty is the best policy in any walk of life and it’s no different in football.

“We’re playing a men’s game and we’re here to get results.

“If that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes.

“It’s clearly working for us.”

Vincent-Young is delighted to be back in the team after his spell on the sidelines – but admits his comeback came quicker than expected.

He made a flying start but was then forced to limp off in the first half of the U’s 2-0 victory against Mansfield Town, on October 7.

A brief, premature return followed ten days later at Newport County but it is only since the turn of the month that he has forged his way back into John McGreal’s plans.

“I’m really pleased to be playing again and was delighted to come straight back into the team,” he said.

“I wasn’t expecting it, to be honest.

“There’s strong competition for places and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.

“The injury came at a bad time for me.

“I was playing well, with a lot of confidence, and I had the backing of the manager.

“I was really enjoying my football, so to pick up the injury was really frustrating.

“I had to be patient and came back a bit too early at Newport.

“I was anxious to get back and perhaps I was in a bit of denial, about being injured.

“But now I’m back in and feeling fit and strong.

“If someone comes in and does well, they’re going to keep the shirt.

“But I was fortunate enough to come straight back in and all I can do is try and repay the manager with my performances and try to reproduce the form I was showing before getting injured.” During those three weeks on the sidelines, Vincent-Young admits he found the mental side of being injured even tougher than the physical one.

“I found it harder mentally than physically,” he said.

“You don’t get that nervous buzz on a Saturday morning.

“You know you’re not going to be involved and so feel a bit flat.

“That’s why you have to surround yourself with good people - team-mates within the dressing room but also friends away from football.

“That’s all part of the process of helping make sure you’re ready to step back in when you’re fit again.

“I didn’t expect it but you have to be ready and it felt right.

“There are other people who can play in my position but the manager has chosen me and I’m very grateful for that.”

Colchester’s upturn in form has not come as a surprise to Vincent-Young.

Their unbeaten run has propelled them to tenth in the table and the U’s will be keen to strengthen their position against Morecambe tomorrow.

“We’ve always had belief in our system, our ability and what we’re trying to do,” he said.

“Even when results weren’t going our way earlier in the season, we always knew we were very close to turning it around.

“But you can’t take anything for granted in this league.

“Anyone can beat anyone and so we we’ll have to be at our best to get a result.

“It’s still relatively early in the season and it’s after the hectic festive spell, when you have a flurry games in quick succession, that the league table starts to take shape.

“Even then, nothing’s set in stone but that’s when you get an idea of where you can finish.”

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